Alliston’s Stevenson Memorial Hospital close to halving surgical backlog three months after resuming elective procedures

The nurses and doctors at Stevenson Memorial Hospital have put a major dent in the surgical backlog that accrued during the coronavirus pandemic.

Chief of surgery Dr. Syndie Singer said the list has almost been halved since elective procedures resumed in mid June. As of Sept. 16, the hospital had 115 surgeries left to perform, down from the 200 procedures that were delayed due to COVID-19.

The province ordered all hospitals to suspend these procedures when the pandemic began in March in preparation for the influx of COVID-19 patients, but the restrictions were lifted in May once hospitals got a better handle on the situation.

Singer said the hospital returned to full capacity with both operating rooms after the Labour Day long weekend. Prior to then, only one room was being used due to space constraints and staff availability.

She said all the cases have been performed during normal operating hours.

“Anybody who wants to have their surgery now can have it,” she said.

She said they have been working away at reducing the backlog while also prioritizing people who have higher-acuity cases.

While staff hope to eliminate most of the backlog within the next couple months, Singer said some people have opted to delay their procedures until after the pandemic is over.

Some modelling research that was recently published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal estimates it will take 84 weeks for hospitals to clear the backlog, at a rate of 717 surgeries per week.

The study also said between March 15 and June 13, Ontario hospitals built up a backlog of 148,364 procedures.

Singer said everyone has a different comfort level about coming to the hospital right now, but she wants to assure residents it’s very safe to have a procedure done now, noting they are doing everything possible to keep patients protected from the virus.

While someone who needs a bunion removed can probably wait six more months, she said anyone who has a serious medical condition should get treated, noting there have been cases where a person’s condition deteriorated after putting off getting help.

“I wouldn’t delay any surgeries that could have lasting consequences,” she said.